Finland will host National Hockey League games for the first time when the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers square off Friday and Saturday at the 13,000 capacity Hartwall Arena.
Last season Pittsburgh and Ottawa opened the season with a two-game series in Sweden, which will also host two games this year. This time around Detroit and St. Louis will play the games _ also on Friday and Saturday _ in Stockholm.
Chicago, a young team loaded with offensive talent, advanced to the Western Conference final last season where it was beaten in a close-run series by Detroit.
The Panthers hope to begin the season the way they finished last year when they surged from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to fall just short of a playoff spot, missing the postseason by just one point.
"We need to play like we did then in order to make the playoffs," Florida coach Peter DeBoer said. "To start out well and have a good first half like we finished the season last year. The reason for a slow start last season was partly a new coach, me, a new system I was putting in and getting to know the personnel.
"When we got all that in place we were a good team. This year we don't have to go through that so I'm hoping that means a better start."
After the end of his team's Thursday's practice DeBoer turned his attention to the season openers against the Blackhawks.
"Chicago is a very good team. When we met in Florida last season I don't think we touched the puck. So they have a lot of skill, a lot of talent ... and it will be a great test for us," DeBoer said.
Chicago coach Joel Quenneville had a look at the Panthers in a preseason game against Finnish league team Jokerit on Wednesday.
"They got some speed, some skill, have a lot of energy and they've got a mobile defense so they got a lot of respect. We know how close and competitive our league is, and we expect a tough challenge from Florida," Quenneville said.
Quenneville has a front line of Patrick Kane, 20, Jonathan Toews, 21, and Patrick Sharp, 27, that scored 85 goals during the regular season and combined for 98 assists, adding 23 goals in the playoffs.
"We're a young team which made us proud last year," Quenneville said. "But it's a new season, a new challenge and the teams will be ready when they play us so we have to be at our best. A goal is to improve our team game and skills."
"First of all we have to make the playoffs but we'd love to win the Central Division (Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Columbus, Nashville). We feel it is the toughest division. It will not be an easy challenge. We are going to be tested differently and we have to get better than last year's level, continue to improve," Quenneville said.
Two-time Stanley Cup winner John Madden, 36, will make his debut for Chicago.
"Madden brings experience," Quenneville said. "He's a good pro and teammate, knows how to win. His penalty killing is very effective and he can win face-offs. He knows his way around. It's the first time for him elsewhere than in New Jersey, a challenge he's excited about."
Florida, meanwhile, has a late decision to make on the season's first lineup.
"We have three defensemen on flu just now, and Stephen Weiss has the flu and the groin," De Boer said.
